From Our Rector

February 17, 2009

In our Episcopal tradition, we are entering the season of Lent.  It begins with the first day of Lent, Ash Wednesday, which comes from the old custom of blessing ashes and marking the foreheads of the penitent faithful with ashes on this day. The ashes are prepared by burning palms from the preceding Palm Sunday. This marking is done as a symbol of the penitential character of the Lenten Season. The idea comes from Old Testament times when mourners or penitents clothed themselves in sackcloth and sprinkled their heads and faces with dust or ashes. Job said, “Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:6). Words of Jesus that apply may be found in Matthew 11:21, “Woe to you, Bethsaida!  for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Siden, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.”

But Jesus condemned the hypocrites of his day who made such a display of their piety rather than serving God with the spiritual purpose that should accompany any outward sign of penitence. This is referred to in the following portion of the Ash Wednesday gospel: “When you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen of men…But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret” (Matthew 6:16-18).
    
As a season, Lent was originally a period of preparation for Easter Baptism.  During this time of instruction the catechumens those being prepared for baptism) fasted and prayed.  The climax came in the all-night vigil of Easter Eve with baptism and confirmation and the celebration of Christ's Resurrection.  At a later time all church members joined in making Lent a penitential season of mourning for sin.  As time went on more interest was shown in the trails and sufferings of Jesus than in anticipating his victorious Resurrection.

The forty weekdays of Lent represent the period which Jesus spent in the wilderness during his Temptation.  According to Matthew and Luke he fasted for forty days.  The symbolism of Lent, aside from Holy Week, centers on sin, temptation and penitence.  Lent's liturgical color, violet, stand for penitence.

Blessings to you who are already worshiping with us and for those of you visiting our web page for the first time;
Whoever you are and wherever you may be on your journey to God,
you are welcome at St Timothy’s.

Rev. Tula Henson +

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.